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POLITICO 44

For all the talk about co-ops, Medicare Advantage and delivery system reform, the Senate Finance Committee markup on health care reform may really be about something else: the 2010 elections.

Democrats and Republicans alike see the deliberations as an opportunity to score points for midterms — either broad, global points that may help sway seniors, a critical voting bloc, or smaller points that could make a difference for some of the committee members up for reelection this cycle.

“If I were up in 2010, I’d be very cognizant of how my vote on this bill and on amendments to the bill would be received by my constituents,” said Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the committee and the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

On Wednesday, the NRSC launched a series of attacks on the health care positions taken by another committee member, Arkansas Democrat Blanche Lincoln, one of the NRSC’s biggest targets next cycle.

For Lincoln, a moderate, the debate is a chance to show her independence from liberals on some key issues — as she did Wednesday when she voted to require that the actual legislative text and cost estimates for the bill be posted online three days before the committee votes.

For New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the debate is an opportunity to intensify Democrats’ argument that the Republicans want to kill health care reform — an argument the DSCC is using to raise money from potential donors.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who faces reelection next year, has been a tough critic of the bill during this week’s debate, which could allow him to shore up his support from conservatives after taking a beating for trying to negotiate a compromise with Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.).

And Grassley’s criticism of the bill seems to have emboldened a potential 2010 challenger. While Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) said “at this point” he’s not planning to jump into the race, he added that he’s getting encouragement to run and that Grassley’s opposition to the Baucus bill “would change the dynamics of the reelection race.”

“I think it would give people who want to see reform a lot more incentive to support a candidate who is going to be more receptive to working in a bipartisan way to bring about true reform,” Braley told POLITICO.

Jill Kozeny, a spokeswoman for Grassley, said that the senator had worked “hundreds of hours” with two other Republicans and three Democrats to try to produce a bipartisan bill.

“What has Congressman Braley done to bring about bipartisanship?” Kozeny fired back. “He followed Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi over the cliff by voting for a party-line, trillion-dollar bill that would raise premiums, put heavy mandates on small businesses, increase taxes and pile on the deficit.”

Cornyn, the Texas Republican, said it’s fair game to target senators — even ones who sit with him on the Finance Committee — saying the bill represents a “Washington takeover” of health care.

Eric Schultz, a spokesman for the DSCC, said that Menendez’s committee would not shy away from attacking Republicans it sees as obstructing progress on health care — even if they’re committee members like Grassley.

“With health care costs spiraling out of control, if Republicans are going to stop at every turn and block attempts to reform health care, we, of course, are going to call them out on it,” Schultz said.

Cornyn said he was not offering any amendments to box in Lincoln politically, but he believes “she’s obviously got her eyes on this — like I said I would if I were up in 2010.”

Lincoln rejected the notion that she’s focused on her reelection bid — and downplayed the risk of voting for a bill that lacks Republican support.

Readers' Comments (32)

Did you ever meet a politician who was not focused on the next election. That is the incentive compensation of our political system. While Congress bashes executive compensation and incentive plans as the cause of our economic woes, it operates not in the best interests of anyone other than their own party or their donors or their re-election strategy. It may be sad, but it is human nature and there is nothing we can do about it. In theory, we could fix things at the polls, but as the vast majority of Americans are also motivated by self-interest and at the same time uninformed boobs, good luck.

Quinnscommentary.com hits the political reality of our lives, and sometimes it's even funny.

Tell us something we don't know. Maybe, that Dems, elected under The Rahm Plan, need to count up the progressives that elected them versus the conservatives that crossed over. mmmmmm, if they think they have enough conservative 'cross-over' votes then side with the GOP - but - if they see the truth (it took a lot of real Dems to vote for them also) then they better not think that they can get re-elected.

NOBODY in Washington DC is safe. The mood of the country is very volatile and people are hell bent on cleaning out the corruption, from BOTH sides of the aisle. The common mantra out there is "throw all the bums out." We have been dissed and/or ignored long enough and won't take it any more. The politicians in DC should not underestimate We the People.

In my opinion we have never had a political candidate that really stood up for the people during election yes they are all for the people. but when you listen to there speeches and you vote for who you think is the best. when it comes down to politics do the people really get any befits from any of the candidates who were running in the first place at the end of the day when he /she is elected to the office. The candidates running from both parties have said one thing done another that's the privileges of our candidates they hold over our heads is being able to change ones minds after the election over....Then we the people think we made a big mistake in our choices when the elected officials don't do what we voted them to do in the first place we start doubting ourselves over and over again about voting in the next election we wonder why we bother with it!

People came up to me in this last election 2008

AND SAID THE UNTIED STATES GOVERNMENT WILL DO WHAT EVER IT WANTS TO DO AWAY THEY DON'T NEED MY VOTE. IT SAD THAT MOST PEOPLE FEEL

THIS WAY IN THE UNTIED STATES THEY DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT

TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE!

That's why we the people can not trust a Politician today in the Untied States because they have all LIED to us telling the untruth having a pretense with the intent to deceive the people that goes for the Republican Party and the Democratic Party it called POLITICS!

WE WILL PAY FOR THINGS WE ASKS FROM OUR GOVERNMENT BY THERE INCREASED TAXES ON THE PEOPLE ALWAYS ! THERE ARE NO FREE RIDES IN THE UNTIED STATES OF AMERICA! THAT'S GOES FOR THE POOR CLASS OF PEOPLE,THE MIDDLE CLASS OF PEOPLE, AND THE RICH CLASS OF PEOPLE, NO GROUP OF PEOPLE CAN ESCAPE HIGHER TAXES IN THE UNTIED STATES OF AMERICA ! THAT IS OUR GOVERNMENT'S PROMISE TO THE PEOPLE ONLY!

I CALL THIS COMMONSENSE THINKING NOW !

MY QUESTION IS WHO IS REALLY RUNNING THIS COUNTRY CALLED THE UNTIED STATES?

A GOVERNMENT THAT WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANT IS A GOVERNMENT THAT CAN TAKE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ! IS THE BOTTOM LINE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

"NO POLITICIANS WILL EVER KEEP THERE PROMISE'S THEY MAKE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE "! BECAUSE OF THE WASHINGTON DC BUBBLE!

“If I were up in 2010, I’d be very cognizant of how my vote on this bill and on amendments to the bill would be received by my constituents,” said Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the committee and the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Every Senator should vote on every piece of legislation as though they were up for re-election in the next cycle. Maybe then they would do what their constituents want done.

First, our country has been taken hostage by our government. The two party system we have are merely using the people as pawns against each other. Party loyalist are blinded by an ideology of their party of choice. The two parties will NEVER agree or reach any type of compromises that represent the good of the people, they both only work towards their own agenda of control and power within the system to further their self-serving political careers and monetary special interest groups.

I see a ray of hope demonstrated by those across America along with the ones that gathered in Washington to protest the direction our country is headed. What peeves me the most is that republican politicians supported and took advantage of this movement, riding on the coat-tails of the movement as if the movement supported their political party. I feel that all the patriotic people who were part of this movement are angry and very concerned that both parties are equally responsible for the direction our politicians are taking our country.

I am very concerned that our country is "being taken down from within". American citizens are finally realizing that we are not represented by our elected officials, these representatives no longer work for the people but for "those who hold the purse strings". Those who control the wealth control the politicians!

I think the only hope we have to reign in the "Two Party Terror" is to have a "Legitimate Third Party Contender". The time is ripe to support this cause. 80 % of Americans are dissatisfied with our entire governing body in Washington. Once again, I believe the only way to control and seriously add a major degree of "checks and balances" is by having a "Third Party". It is abundantly clear that our two party system is NOT WORKING! People are getting very, very angry with the way our liberties are being trampled upon by our governing system. At every turn our government is liable for breaking "Constitutional Law". Thanks to our government, our country and citizens financial and economic health is in shambles, the government has set a horrible example of reckless spending and has run up debt that is unimaginable. Every single aspect of governance is jeopardizing the health of our nation!

Unless something is done soon to reign in the "Two Party Terrorist" our nation will experience a Revolution. Their is a brewing hatred between both parties, party loyalist are at each others throats, politicians are vying for power and control that is not in the best interest of our country. Read any political forum and this will be substantiated. The only hope we have is that the citizens of this country have begun to take notice and beginning to demand that our politicians be accountable for their actions and follow the Constitution and Bill Of Rights. Our politicians through their self-serving interest and greed for power and money have betrayed this country and it's citizens. We have let 535 people destroy what this nation was build upon. It is time that "We The People" take back control of our great nation!

geez, do you think? most progressives have realized this for some time. all the debate on health care reform from republicans in sheeps clothing calling themselves democrats - from blue dog to baucus, conrad, landrieu, lincoln and others has been about their next primary and their campaign coffers.

one would think the only voters who come out for the primary are those we have seen at town hall meetings and they represent the majority of their states or districts.

i for one would hope they are not betting on that; because they will have a rude awakening. the cw has been turned on its head. we are watching and we will be out fighting for anyone who has been obfuscating, prevaricating, delaying and/or obstructing true health care reform that brings down costs and health insurance industries profits and control over who gets and who doesn't get quality health care.

Campaign finance reform, specifically publicly funded campaigns, would get rid of big, corporate money and consequently the greedy-rat pols, leaving only those legislators who are acting out of civic benevolence. Of course, this would require lawmakers to vote to for cutting off their own gravy train, so good luck with that.

The prognosis for the republican party is the same prognosis for the white race.......................extinction due to low birth rates and interracial births.

Less than half of babies born in America today are white. In california, 30% of babies born to WHITE females are mixed-race, nonwhite babies. Barack Obama babies.

the united state is rapidly heading toward being a society where voting is strictly by race, as in trinidad & tobago, or Guyana. In both of those nations, the East-Indian ethnics vote for the party which represents THEIR interests, the African descent ethnic group votes for THEIR political party. Each group is roughly half the electorate.

The US will be a country where the soon-to-be-majority nonwhites, comprised of Africans, Latinos, Asians, etc, will vote overwhelmingly for democrats, as they already do. And the rapidly disappearing white population will vote overwhelmingly for Republicans.

Liberals can rejoice. The "wicked witch is dead", meaning working class whites who they hate so much. Working and middle class whites are the base of the Republican party, and they will never again be able to elect a president or congressional majority.

Biology is destiny, as Freud said. It is true in politics also. The democrat party will every national election for at least the next 25 years, and maybe beyond that. Are you leftists smiling? You should be, this is what you always wanted. One party rule, socialism, open borders, gay marraige, guns outlawed, religion outlawed, "hate speech" laws, silencing opposing views.

These clowns madquerading as representatives of the people ALL need to go. In1 election WE can replace the House of Reps and 1/3 of the Senate if EVERYBODY votes NOBODY for ALL seeking the House or Senate - make the governor select and if they blow it the selecttion then you'll know who not to support in the next gubernatorial election.

If Obamacare passes seniors will see higher premiums and reduced benefits. It is so simple, something has to give to expand the pie to the illegals and uninsureds and it will come from seniors and the 85% of us who have insurance now. The left wing democrats still like it because it expands the federal government and they love that. Eventually, in a few years or so the feds will take over the whole thing like Medicare now. The dems love that. That is because the cost of insurance will sky rocket for the seniors and 85% who now have insurance. No one will be able to afford it. The dems are absolutely hell bent on this government takeover of one sixth of the economy. Huge socialism is in their DNA. Not all dems but the left wing folks that make up what, 60% of the democrats in Congress. I urge folks like Blanche Lincoln and Ben Nelson to say no. If Obamacare passes it will be too late to undo the damage. These so called moderates hold the keys and I hope they vote independent. Do they really want us to go Europe? We are so different, a totally different model that doesn't fit Europe. I say do nothing and let the market sort it out. Or make premium payments paid by individuals tax deductible. That would be a great reform. But the feds would lose tax money. It is nuts that pre existing will be done away with. That is like a guy who gets in a traffic accident and afterwards demands to get auto insurance to cover the wreck. Does that make sense? Get pregnant then demand health insurance? That is not right, get the insurance first.

The US will be a country where the soon-to-be-majority nonwhites, comprised of Africans, Latinos, Asians, etc, will vote overwhelmingly for democrats, as they already do. And the rapidly disappearing white population will vote overwhelmingly for Republicans.

Typical stereotyping. Loses a lot of its weight as an argument.

Try living in South Texas where caucasians are already a minority. Maybe you then would see how utterly ridiculous your statement really is. Latinos support both parties. "Mixed race" doesn't neatly fit into one of the census classifications.

As far as the statement about whites voting overwhelmingly for Republicans; I think you just insulted the whole state of Massachusetts.

Let all these Senators and Representatives talk themselves into a corner. They can't keep promising everything to everyone. In a few months primary season will be in full swing and let them defend themselves then.

Try living in South Texas where caucasians are already a minority. Maybe you then would see how utterly ridiculous your statement really is. Latinos support both parties. "Mixed race" doesn't neatly fit into one of the census classifications.

As far as the statement about whites voting overwhelmingly for Republicans; I think you just insulted the whole state of Massachusetts.

I live in California central valley, 60% Hispanic, and 75% noncaucasian. the only place a white republican can get elected in California is in a majority white district. And there ain't many left. Massachusettes is 22% nonwhite, and 80% or more of the nonwhite vote goes to democrats. The unique catholic guilt complex of the Irish accounts for the unusual percentage of white votes going to democrats. On a national basis, 60% approximately of the total white vote is cast for republican candidates.

The US will be majority nonwhite by 2025. The 2010 census will show the hispanic population growing at an astonishing rate. I predict that the census will reveal that there are about 60 million Latinos in the US, as opposed to the current estimate of 48 million. Every time they count, they have to raise the total above where they thought it was going to be. Every time they release an estmate of when the US turns majority brown, the date is moved closer. It will be 2025, guaranteed. And the democrats WILL win every national election for the next 25 years.